Method and combination for increasing plant productivity

ABSTRACT

A method produces surprising results by increasing the yield of a plant. The method includes the step of foliarly applying crystalline birefringent raw starch granules. The granules are applied under selected temperature, moisture, and sunlight conditions and during a selected period of time prior to row closure.

This invention relates to plants.

More particularly, the invention relates to a method for improving theyield of a healthy plant.

In a further respect, the invention relates to a method for utilizingcrystalline, birefringent starch granules to achieve surprising andunexpectedly high increases in the yield of plants.

In another respect, the invention relates to a method for utilizingstarch granules which can, since the use of starch to consistentlyincrease the yield of crops is either non-existent or insignificant,result in the creation of a widespread new use for starch.

In a further respect, the invention relates to a method forsignificantly increasing the yield of plants at a cost which is muchless than that associated with many or all conventional fertilizers andother growth enhancers.

Millions of dollars are spent annually by farmers to apply fertilizer,pesticides, and other chemicals which enhance the growth of plants.

Attempts have been made to utilize starch to enhance the growth ofplants. A particular advantage of using starch is its comparatively lowcost. Starch granules have been added to the top of soil around the baseof plants and have been inserted or worked into the ground near theroots of plants. The results associated with such applications of starchto the ground have been inconsistent. Farmers will not pay for or go tothe trouble of applying starch because the results are unpredictable.Despite long existing claims that starch does or should work, thefailure of starch as a growth enhancer is readily demonstrated by thefact that there is no significant market or distribution network forselling starch to be applied to plants. Nor is there a brand name starchproduct for use to enhance the growth of plants. If a significant demandfor starch existed, the companies which produce starch promptly wouldtake advantage of such a demand. There appears to have been absolutelyno such demand for at least the last five decades.

In the mind of most, if not all, farmers, starch is unpredictable and,therefore, is worthless.

The starch industry itself seems to be somewhat secretive and onlyreluctantly disseminates information concerning starch.

Another problem associated with applying fertilizers or other chemicalcompounds to plants is the use of the terms growth and productivity. Astatement often heard is that using a particular product increases thegrowth and productivity of a plant. While such a statement may be truewith respect to a particular product, it can be misleading andconstitute a statement of omission for the following reasons.

First, the growth of a plant includes a vegetative growth period and areproductive growth period. The vegetative growth period precedes thereproductive growth period. During the reproductive growth period, budsand flowers form on the plant, “set”, and develop into fruit.

Second, enhancing the vegetative growth of a plant does not alwaysresult in increasing the number or size of fruit produced by the plant.For example, applying excessive amounts of nitrogen to a plant can causea plant to grow vegetatively for a longer than normal period of time.Also, simply making a plant grow faster can be called “increasing thegrowth” of the plant. But making a plant grow faster does not mean thatthe plant will necessarily produce an increased number or size of fruit.

Third, enhancing the reproductive growth of a plant does not alwaysresult in increasing the yield of a plant. For example, causing a plantto produce an excessive number of flowers may result in a large quantityof smaller-than-normal fruit, or may cause a large portion of theflowers not to set.

Fourth, some assume that if, after a fertilizer or other “growth”enhancing chemical compound is applied, a plant does not grow fasterlook bigger or look greener or have more leaves or produce more flowersthen the fertilizer “does not work”. This can be a misleading positionto take.

It can be argued that the real issue is whether the yield of a plant isimproved. Use of the general terms growth and productivity does notnecessarily address this specific issue. Increasing growth andproductivity does not necessarily increase the yield of a plant.

In accordance with the invention, I have discovered a new method whichsignificantly, predictably and consistently increases the yield of aplant. The method treats a stand of plants growing by natural processesand exposed to direct sunlight and an atmosphere of air to improve theyield of the plants. The plants each include at least one leaf includinga plurality of epidermal cells; a plurality of stomata for allowingcarbon dioxide to enter the leaf; a plurality of food-making cells, eachfood-making cell including a plurality of chloroplasts; a plurality ofair spaces each adjacent at least one of the food-making cells; carbondioxide in each of the air spaces; water vapor in each of the airspaces; xylem for carrying water; and, phloem for carrying food producedby the leaf. The method includes the step of applying a plurality ofsolid crystalline optically birefringent starch granules. The granulesare applied foliarly to contact the epidermal cells.

In another embodiment of the invention, I provide a method for treatinga stand of plants growing by natural processes, exerting less than sixatmospheres of pressure to draw water from the ground, and exposed todirect sunlight and an atmosphere of air having an ambient temperaturein the range of 65 degrees F. to 105 degrees F. to improve the yield ofthe plants. Each of the plants includes at least one leaf including aplurality of epidermal cells; a plurality of stomata for allowing carbondioxide to enter the leaf; a plurality of food-making cells, eachfood-making cell including a plurality of chloroplasts; a plurality ofair spaces each adjacent at least one of the food-making cells; carbondioxide in each of the air spaces; water vapor in each of the airspaces; xylem for carrying water; and, phloem for carrying food producedby the leaf. The method includes the step of applying foliarly tocontact said epidermal cells with a plurality of solid crystallineoptically birefringent starch granules to said plants exerting less thansix atmospheres of pressure to draw water from the ground and naturallygrowing in said stand exposed to said direct sunlight and saidatmosphere having an ambient temperature in the range of 65 degrees F.to 105 degrees F.

In a further embodiment of the invention, I provide a method fortreating a stand of plants growing by natural processes and exposed tosunlight and an atmosphere of air to improve the yield of the plants.Each of the plants includes at least one leaf including a plurality ofepidermal cells; a plurality of stomata for allowing carbon dioxide toenter the leaf; a plurality of food-making cells, each food-making cellincluding a plurality of chloroplasts; a plurality of air spaces eachadjacent at least one of the food-making cells; carbon dioxide in eachof the air spaces; water vapor in each of the air spaces; xylem forcarrying water; and, phloem for carrying food produced by the leaf. Themethod comprises the step of, less than five weeks before row closure,applying foliarly to contact the epidermal cells with a plurality ofsolid crystalline optically birefringent starch granules to the plantsnaturally growing in the stand exposed to the sunlight and theatmosphere.

The following examples are presented, not by way of limitation of thescope of the invention, but to illustrate to those skilled in the art,the practice of various of the presently preferred embodiments of theinvention and to distinguish the invention from the prior art.

EXAMPLE 1

A two hundred acre field of healthy russet potato plants was selected.As used herein, a plant is healthy if:

(1) The plant's foliage has its normal expected color. For example, ifthe leaves of a potato plant have their normal green color, the plant ishealthy. If the leaves are yellow or brown, the plant is not healthy.

(2) The plant is in its normal expected orientation. If a corn stalk isin its normal upright orientation, the corn is healthy. If the stalk islying on the ground the corn stalk is not healthy.

(3) The plant has the capacity to carry out normally photosynthesis,respiration, and water movement. If, for example, a fungus blocks theplant's water passages then the plant cannot carry out water movement ina normal manner and the plant is not healthy. If there is a poison inthe plant the plant may not be able to carry out respiration orphotosynthesis, in which case the plant is not healthy. All plants andother living things are to some degree inhabited by pathogens. In manycases such pathogens do not prevent either the normal photosynthesis,respiration, and water movement by a plant or the normal growth of theplant. Consequently, the mere presence of pathogens on a plant does notnecessarily mean the plant is not healthy.

(4) The plant is growing naturally. As used herein, growing naturallymeans a plant is using water and nutrients from the ground, carbondioxide from the air, and sunlight to grow.

(5) The plant roots are obtaining from the ground sufficient oxygen forthe plant to grow normally. If the ground is compacted or flooded, theplant roots may not be able to obtain sufficient oxygen, in which casethe plant may be inhibited from carrying out normally its biologicalfunctions of photosynthesis, respiration, and water movement. Without asufficient supply of oxygen for its roots, the plant will eventuallydie.

The field was located out-of-doors in Idaho during the summer. Theplants in the field were arranged in typical cultivated fashion inparallel equally spaced apart rows. Prior to harvesting potatoesproduced by the plants, each plant in the field generally received aboutthe same amount of water, of fertilizer, and of pesticides during itsvegetative and reproductive growth cycles. However, an aqueousdispersion of raw crystalline birefringent potato starch granules wasapplied to twenty acres of the field in the following manner:

One and one-half pounds of potato starch granules was applied per acre.Each one-half pound of starch granules was mixed with fifteen gallons ofwater and 0.0375 gallons of non-ionic surfactant. The non-ionicsurfactant includes molecules having a hydrophobic end which attaches tothe fatty acid of a leaf and having a hydrophillic end which attaches towater. The surfactant performs the functions of helping penetrate thewaxy barrier on the epidermal surface of a leaf, of helping the waterspread over the surface of the leaf to increase the surface area ofwater contacting the leaf surface, and of helping the starch granulesadhere to and remain on the surface of the leaf. The non-ionicsurfactant can comprise a petroleum distillate product, soy beanproduct, or any other product which at least performs the function ofhelping penetrate the waxy barrier on the epidermal surface of a leaf.Such surfactants are readily available through a variety ofdistributors. The particular surfactant utilized with the potato starchparticles was, however, HERBIMAX. HERBIMAX (™) is a non-ionic oilsurfactant adjuvant made by Loveland Industries, Inc. of Greeley, Colo.80632 (Phone No. 356-8920). HERBIMAX includes 83% by weight petroleumhydrocarbons, namely, light paraffinic distillate odorless aliphaticpetroleum solvent. HERBIMAX also includes 17% by weight omega hydroxpolyoxyethylene surfactant.

If flour is admixed with water it forms lumps which clog a sprayer. Sucha problem is inherent in utilizing starch. I premixed and agitated eachone-half pound of starch granules with about one-half gallon of water ina plastic bag until the starch granules were dispersed in the water. Thestarch granule—water mixture was then mixed with fourteen and one-halfgallons of water and 0.0375 gallons of surfactant in a sprayer tankwhich was mounted on my back. Walking while the sprayer was mounted onmy back continuously imparted motion to water in the sprayer tank andfunctioned to keep the starch in suspension in the tank. The starchcould, of course, be put in a sprayer tank equipped with a mechanicalmixer of other means of forming and maintaining a dispersion of starchgranules in water. Larger or smaller sprayer tanks can be utilized.After all the aqueous starch granule—water—surfactant mixture in thefifteen gallon sprayer tank was applied evenly to potato plants in aselected acre in the twenty acre area being sprayed, another one-halfpound of starch granules was used to recharge the sprayer tank a secondtime with a starch granule—water—surfactant mixture using the mixingprocedure described above (i.e., one-half pound of starch granules ismixed with fifteen gallons of water and 0.0375 gallons of surfactant).The resulting mixture was applied generally uniformly over the sameselected acre to potato plants in the acre. Finally, the remainingone-half pound of starch granules was used to recharge the sprayer tanka third time with a starch granule—water—surfactant mixture (0.5 poundof starch granules+fifteen gallons of water+0.0375 gallons ofsurfactant) using the mixing procedure described above. The resultingmixture was applied generally uniformly over the same selected acre topotato plants in the acre. The foregoing procedure of preparing threeseparate sprayer tank starch granule—water—surfactant mixtures (eachsuch mixture including 0.5 pound of starch granules+fifteen gallons ofwater+0.0375 gallons of surfactant) and applying each of the threemixtures to the same selected acre was repeated for each of theremaining nineteen acres; i.e., was repeated until each one of thetwenty acres had been sprayed three times with fifteen gallons of starchgranule—water—surfactant mixture. Each fifteen gallon batch of thestarch granule—water—surfactant mixture included one-half pound ofstarch. Spraying each acre three times succeeded in drenching or wettingthe majority of leaves in each potato plant. As would be appreciated bythose of skill in the art, the spray process can be shortened andsimplified by using a larger spray tank to produce larger volumes of thedesired starch granule—water—surfactant mixture. It is also presentlybelieved not necessary to wet the majority of leaves in a plant becausewetting just a single leaf will benefit the plant.

The starch granule—water—surfactant mixture was applied foliarly to thepotato plants in the morning. When the starch granule—water—surfactantmixture was applied to the potato plants, the ambient temperature was 82degrees F., the skies were partly cloudy such that the plants weresubjected to about four hours of direct sunlight during the remainder ofthe day. At the specific time the mixture was applied, the plants weresubjected to direct sunlight and continued to be subjected to directsunlight for at least five minutes after the mixture was applied. Theground was moist and the plants were generating about one to two ofpressure to draw water from the ground into the plants. The starchgranule—water—surfactant mixture was applied about two and one-halfweeks prior to row closure. Row closure occurs when the plants in twoadjacent parallel rows grow sufficiently to cover substantially all or asignificant portion of the ground between the rows. Row closure isadvantageous because it shields the ground between the rows from the sunand significantly inhibits or prevents the growth of weeds. Row closureoccurs and is readily recognized by farmers regardless of whether rowsare twelve inches apart, as is common with irrigated crops, or areeighteen inches apart, as is common on “dry land” (i.e., on land whichreceives less than 18 inches of rainfall a year). Row closure generallyoccurs about two to two and one-half weeks after the first flowersappear on a plant.

After the starch granule—water—surfactant mixture was applied foliarly,the plants were allowed to complete their vegetative and/or reproductivegrowth cycles and some weeks later the russet potatoes were harvested.As the plants in the 200 acre field completed their growth cycle priorto harvest, the plants sprayed foliarly with the starchgranule—water—surfactant mixture did not appear different from theplants not sprayed with starch granule—water—surfactant mixture. Theplants sprayed with starch granule—water—surfactant were generally thesame height and color as the plants not sprayed with the mixture and thenumber of flowers produced on the plants sprayed with the starchgranule—water—surfactant mixture appeared to be about the same as thenumber of flowers produced on plants not sprayed with the mixture.

Results

The twenty acres of potatoes which were foliarly sprayed with the starchgranule—water—surfactant mixture produced 328 hundred weight per acre ofrusset potatoes. The remaining one hundred and eighty acres which wasnot sprayed with starch granule—water—surfactant mixture produced only295 hundred weight per acre of potatoes. Consequently, spraying thepotato plants with the starch granule—water—surfactant mixture producedan 11% increase in the yield of potatoes.

The amount of starch utilized per fifteen gallons of water is in therange of 0.1 pounds to 10 pounds, preferably about 0.5 pounds to fourpounds.

Although the surfactant may be omitted in the practice of the invention,it is presently believed that the surfactant performs an importantfunction in helping the starch granules penetrate the waxy barrier onthe epidermal leaf surface so that the granules enter the leaf throughanticlinal cell walls. From 0.00005 to 0.1000 gallon, preferably 0.0010to 0.0100 gallon of surfactant is added to each gallon of water utilizedto make the starch granule—water—surfactant mixture. If desired,minerals and other compositions can be included in the mixture.

EXAMPLE 2

Example 1 is repeated, except the sky is overcast instead of partycloudy. The results are similar except that the twenty acres sprayedwith starch granule—water—surfactant mixture produce only 310 hundredweight per acre of russet potatoes. When the mixture is applied it ispreferred that the plants be subjected to direct sunlight for at leastseveral hours on the day on which the starch granule—water—surfactantmixture is applied. Most preferably, the plants are subjected to directsunlight at the time the starch granule—water—surfactant mixture isfoliarly applied, as well as for five minutes, for ten minutes, or forfive to ten minutes after the mixture is applied.

Although I do not wish to be bound by the following mechanism, accordingto my present understanding, it appears that the raw starch granulesfacilitate the use of starch by the leaves on the plants because theparticles are clear or translucent and permit light to pass through theparticles into the leaves to power photosynthesis and respiration of theplant to facilitate entry of the particles through transclinal (orparaclinal) epidermal cell walls. In addition, when the birefrigentstarch granules double refract light entering the granules, the granulesattenuate to some degree the intensity of the light. This is beneficialon hot days because it helps reduce the heating of leaves andconcomitant loss of moisture from the leaves. The granules thereforeprovide some shade for the portion of the leaf covered by the particleswhile still permitting sunlight to power photosynethesis and respirationof the leaf. For these reasons, and for the surprising results achievedwith raw crystalline birefringent starch granules, such raw transparentor translucent birefringent starch granules are preferred in thepractice of the invention.

EXAMPLE 3

Example 1 is repeated, except the ground is dry and the plants aregenerating eight atmospheres of pressure to draw water from the ground.The results are similar except that the twenty acres sprayed with starchgranule—water—surfactant mixture produce only 296 hundred weight peracre of russet potatoes. When the starch granule—water—surfactantmixture is foliarly applied, the plants should be generating less thanabout seven atmospheres of pressure to draw water from the ground,preferably less than about four atmospheres of pressure. When the soilhas a Field Capacity of water, a plant need only generate aboutone-third atmosphere of pressure to draw water from the soil into theplant.

EXAMPLE 4

Example 1 is repeated, except the ground is drier and the plants aregenerating three to four atmospheres of pressure to draw water from theground. The results are similar.

EXAMPLE 5

Example 1 is repeated, except the ambient temperature is 50 degrees F.instead of 82 degrees F. The results are similar except that the twentyacres sprayed with the starch granule—water—surfactant mixture produceonly 297 hundred weight per acre of russet potatoes.

EXAMPLE 6

Example 1 is repeated, except the ambient temperature is 65 degrees F.instead of 82 degrees F. The results are similar.

EXAMPLE 7

Example 1 is repeated, except that the starch granule—water—surfactantmixture is applied about five weeks before row closure instead of twoand one-half weeks before row closure. Similar results are obtained.

EXAMPLE 8

Example 1 is repeated, except that the starch granule—water—surfactantmixture is applied about seven weeks before row closure instead of twoand one-half weeks before row closure. The results are similar exceptthat the twenty acres sprayed with the starch granule—water—surfactantmixture produce a yield of 295 hundred weight per acre.

EXAMPLE 9

Example 1 is repeated, except that the starch granule—water—surfactantmixture is applied about one week after row closure instead of two andone-half weeks before row closure. The twenty acres sprayed with thestarch granule—water—surfactant mixture produce a yield of 295 hundredweight per acre. In the practice of the invention, the starchgranule—water—surfactant mixture is applied within about five weeks ofrow closure, preferably within about one to three weeks of row closure.Applying the starch granule—water—surfactant mixture after row closuredoes not presently appear to produce significant yield increasescompared to growing plants without applying the starchgranule—water—surfactant mixture.

EXAMPLE 10

A one hundred acre irrigated field of healthy barley plants wasselected. The field was located out-of-doors in Idaho during the summer.The plants in the field were arranged in typical cultivated fashion inparallel equally spaced apart rows. Prior to harvesting barley producedby the plants, each plant in the field generally received about the sameamount of water, of fertilizer, and of pesticides during its vegetativeand reproductive growth cycles. However, an aqueous dispersion of rawcrystalline birefringent potato starch granules was applied to twentyacres of the field. One and one-half pounds of potato starch granuleswas applied per acre. Each one-half pound of starch granules was mixedwith fifteen gallons of water and 0.0375 gallons of non-ionicsurfactant. The particular surfactant utilized with the potato starchparticles was HERBIMAX. HERBIMAX is described above in Example 1.

One-half pound of starch was premixed and agitated with about one-halfgallon of water in a plastic bag until the starch was dispersed in thewater. The starch—water mixture was then mixed with fourteen andone-half gallons of water and 0.0375 gallon of surfactant in a sprayertank which was mounted on my back. Walking while the sprayer was mountedon my back continuously imparted motion to water in the sprayer tank andfunctioned to keep the starch in suspension and dispersed in the waterin the tank. After all the aqueous starch granule—water—surfactantmixture in the fifteen gallon sprayer tank was applied evenly to barleyplants in a selected acre in the twenty acre area being sprayed, anotherone-half pound of starch granules was used to recharge the sprayer tanka second time with a starch granule—water—surfactant mixture (i.e., 0.5pound starch granules+15 pounds of water+0.0375 gallon surfactant) usingthe mixing procedure described above. The resulting mixture was appliedgenerally uniformly over the same selected acre to barley plants in theacre. Finally, the remaining one-half pound of starch granules was usedto recharge the fifteen gallon sprayer tank a third time with a starchgranule—water—surfactant mixture using the mixing procedure describedabove. The resulting mixture was applied generally uniformly over thesame selected acre to barley plants in the acre. The foregoing procedureof preparing three separate sprayer tank starch granule—water—surfactantfifteen gallon mixtures and applying each of the three mixtures to thesame selected acre was repeated for each of the remaining nineteenacres; i.e., was repeated until each one of the twenty acres had beensprayed three times with approximately fifteen gallons of starchgranule—water—surfactant mixture. Each fifteen gallon mixture includedone-half pound of starch granules, 15 pounds of water, and 0.0375gallons of surfactant. Spraying each acre three time succeeded indrenching or wetting the majority of leaves in each barley plant.

The starch granule—water—surfactant mixture was applied in the morning.When the starch granule—water—surfactant mixture was applied, theambient temperature was 76 degrees F., the skies were clear such thatthe plants were subjected to about seven hours of direct sunlight duringthe remainder of the day. The ground was moist and the barley plantswere generating about one to two atmospheres of pressure to draw waterfrom the ground into the plants. The starch granule—water—surfactantmixture was applied about two and one-half weeks prior to row closure.After the starch granule—water—surfactant mixture was applied, theplants were allowed to complete their vegetative and/or reproductivegrowth cycles and some weeks later the barley grain was harvested. Asthe plants in the field completed their growth cycle prior to harvest,the plants sprayed with starch granule—water—surfactant mixture did notappear different from the plants not sprayed with the mixture. Theplants sprayed with starch granule—water—surfactant mixture weregenerally the same height and color as the plants not sprayed with themixture and the number of flowers produced on the plants sprayed withthe mixture appeared to be about the same as the number of flowersproduced on plants not sprayed with the starch granule—water—surfactantmixture.

Results

The twenty acres of barley plants which foliarly were sprayed with thestarch granule—water—surfactant mixture produced 134 bushels per acre ofbarley grain. The remaining eighty acres which were not sprayed with thestarch granule—water—surfactant mixture produced only 120 bushels peracre of barley. Consequently spraying the barley plants with the starchgranule—water—surfactant mixture produced an 11.7% increase in the yieldof barley grain.

EXAMPLE 11

Example 10 is repeated, except the sky is overcast instead of clear. Theresults are similar except that the twenty acres sprayed with the starchgranule—water—surfactant mixture produce only 126 bushels of grain peracre.

EXAMPLE 12

Example 10 is repeated, except the ground is quite dry and the plantsare generating seven atmospheres of pressure to draw water from theground. The results are similar except that the twenty acres sprayedwith starch granule—water—surfactant mixture produce only 121 bushelsper acre of grain.

EXAMPLE 13

Example 10 is repeated, except the ground is drier and the plants aregenerating three to four atmospheres of pressure to draw water from theground. The results are similar.

EXAMPLE 14

Example 10 is repeated, except the ambient temperature is 57 degrees F.instead of 76 degrees F. The results are similar except that the twentyacres sprayed with starch granule—water—surfactant mixture produce only122 bushels of grain per acre.

EXAMPLE 15

Example 10 is repeated, except the ambient temperature is 100 degrees F.instead of 76 degrees F. The results are similar.

EXAMPLE 16

Example 10 is repeated, except that the starch granule—water—surfactantmixture is applied about five weeks before row closure instead of twoand one-half weeks before row closure. Similar results are obtained.

EXAMPLE 17

Example 10 is repeated, except that the starch granules—water—surfactantmixture is applied about seven weeks before row closure instead of twoand one-half weeks before row closure. The twenty acres sprayed with thestarch granule—water—surfactant mixture produce a yield of 120 bushelsof barley per acre.

EXAMPLE 18

Example 10 is repeated, except that the starch granule—water—surfactantmixture is applied about one week after row closure instead of two andone-half weeks before row closure. The twenty acres sprayed with thestarch granule—water—surfactant mixture produce a yield of 120 bushelsof barley per acre.

EXAMPLE 19

A three hundred and seventy-five acre field of healthy corn plants wasselected. The field was located out-of-doors in Missouri during thesummer. The plants in the field were arranged in typical cultivatedfashion in parallel equally spaced apart rows. Prior to harvesting cornproduced by the plants, each plant in the field generally received aboutthe same amount of water, of fertilizer, and of pesticides during itsvegetative and reproductive growth cycles. However, an aqueousdispersion of raw crystalline birefringent potato starch granules wasapplied foliarly to forty acres of the field. The granules were appliedby spraying foliarly an aqueous mixture including potato starch, water,and surfactant until about one and one-half pounds of starch had beenevenly applied over each acre in the forty acres selected. Each batch ofthe aqueous mixture included about one-half pound of raw crystallinebirefringent potato starch granules, fifteen gallons of water, and about0.0375 gallons of HERBIMAX (™) surfactant. The starch granules weregenerally uniformly dispersed in the water when the aqueous mixture wasfoliarly sprayed onto corn plants. The aqueous mixture was foliarlysprayed such that the majority of leaves in each corn plant were atleast partially wetted. The starch granule—surfactant aqueous mixturewas applied in the morning. When the aqueous mixture was applied, theambient temperature was 88 degrees F., and the skies were clear suchthat the plants were subjected to about seven hours of direct sunlightduring the remainder of the day. The ground was fairly moist and theplants were generating about three to four atmospheres of pressure todraw water from the ground into the plants. The starchgranule—surfactant aqueous mixture was applied about three weeks priorto row closure. After the starch was applied, the plants were allowed tocomplete their vegetative and/or reproductive growth cycles and someweeks later the corn was harvested. As the plants in the field completedtheir growth cycle prior to harvest, the plants sprayed with the starchgranule—surfactant aqueous mixture did not appear different from theplants not sprayed with the aqueous mixture. The plants sprayed with theaqueous mixture were generally the same height and color as the plantsnot sprayed with the aqueous mixture and the number of flowers producedon the plants sprayed with the aqueous mixtures appeared to be about thesame as the number of flowers produced on plants not sprayed with thestarch granule—surfactant aqueous mixture.

Results

The forty acres of corn which were foliarly sprayed with the starchgranule—surfactant aqueous mixture produced 153 bushels per acre ofcorn. The remaining three hundred and thirty-five acres which were notsprayed with the starch granule—surfactant aqueous mixture produced only143 bushels per acre of corn. Consequently, spraying corn plants withthe starch granule—surfactant aqueous mixture produced a 7% increase inthe yield of corn.

EXAMPLE 20

Example 19 is repeated, except the sky is overcast instead of clear. Theresults are similar except that the forty acres sprayed with the starchgranule—surfactant aqueous mixture produce only 147 bushels of corn peracre.

EXAMPLE 21

Example 19 is repeated, except the ground is quite dry and the plantsare generating seven and one-half atmospheres of pressure to draw waterfrom the ground. The results are similar except that the forty acressprayed with the starch granule—surfactant aqueous mixture produce only143 bushels per acre of corn.

EXAMPLE 22

Example 19 is repeated, except the ground is drier and the plants aregenerating three to four atmospheres of pressure to draw water from theground. The results are similar.

EXAMPLE 23

Example 19 is repeated, except the ambient temperature is 72 degrees F.instead of 88 degrees F. The results are similar.

EXAMPLE 24

Example 19 is repeated, except the ambient temperature is 52 degrees F.instead of 88 degrees F. The results are similar except that the fortyacres sprayed with the starch granule—surfactant aqueous mixture onlyproduce 144 bushels of corn per acre.

EXAMPLE 25

Example 19 is repeated, except that the starch granule—surfactantaqueous mixture is applied about five days before row closure instead oftwo and one-half weeks before row closure. Similar results are obtained.

EXAMPLE 26

Example 19 is repeated, except that the starch granule—surfactantaqueous mixture is applied about four days after row closure instead oftwo and one-half weeks before row closure. The forty acres sprayed withthe starch granule—surfactant aqueous mixture produce a yield of 144bushels of corn per acre.

EXAMPLE 27

Example 19 is repeated, except that the starch granule—surfactantaqueous mixture is applied about one week (seven days) after row closureinstead of two and one-half weeks before row closure. The forty acressprayed with the starch granule—surfactant aqueous mixture produce ayield of 142 bushels per acre.

EXAMPLE 28

A 881 acre field of healthy sunflower plants was selected. The field waslocated out-of-doors in Colorado during the summer. The plants in thefield were arranged in typical cultivated fashion in parallel equallyspaced apart rows. Prior to harvesting the seeds produced by the plants,each plant in the field generally received about the same amount ofwater, of fertilizer, and of pesticides during its vegetative andreproductive growth cycles. However, an aqueous dispersion of rawcrystalline birefringent potato starch granules was applied foliarly to240 acres of the field. The granules were applied by spraying foliarlyan aqueous mixture including potato starch, water, and surfactant untilabout one and one-half pounds of starch had been evenly applied overeach acre in the 240 acres selected. Each batch of the aqueous mixtureincluded about one-half pound of raw crystalline birefringent potatostarch granules, fifteen gallons of water, and about 0.0375 gallons ofHERBIMAX (™) surfactant. The starch granules were generally uniformlydispersed in the water when the aqueous mixture was foliarly sprayedonto sunflower plants. The aqueous mixture was foliarly sprayed suchthat the majority of leaves in each sunflower plant were at leastpartially wetted. The starch granule—surfactant aqueous mixture wasapplied in the morning. When the starch granule—surfactant aqueousmixture was applied, the ambient temperature was 73 degrees F., theskies were clear such that the plants were subjected to about nine hoursof direct sunlight during the remainder of the day. The ground was moistand the plants were generating about two to three atmospheres ofpressure to draw water from the ground into the plants. The starchgranule—surfactant aqueous mixture was applied about three weeks priorto row closure. After the aqueous mixture was applied, the plants wereallowed to complete their vegetative and/or reproductive growth cyclesand some weeks later the sunflower seeds were harvested and pressed toproduce oil. As the plants in the field completed their growth cycleprior to harvest, the plants sprayed with the starch granule—surfactantmixture did not appear different from the plants not sprayed with theaqueous mixture. The plants sprayed with the aqueous mixture weregenerally the same height and color as the plants not sprayed with theaqueous mixture and the number of flowers produced on the plants sprayedwith the aqueous mixture appeared to be about the same as the number offlowers produced on plants not sprayed with the starchgranule—surfactant aqueous mixture.

Results

The 240 acres of sunflower plants which foliarly received the starchgranule—surfactant aqueous mixture produced 1220 pounds of sunflower oilper acre of sunflower plants. The remaining 641 acres which were notsprayed with the starch granule—surfactant aqueous mixture produced only938 pounds of oil per acre of sunflower plants. Consequently, sprayingsunflower plant foliarly with the starch granule—surfactant aqueousmixture produced a 30% increase in the yield of oil.

EXAMPLE 29

Example 28 is repeated, except the sky is partly cloudy instead ofclear. The results are similar except that the 240 acres sprayed withthe starch granule—surfactant aqueous mixture produce only 1104 poundsof sunflower oil per acre of sunflower plants.

EXAMPLE 30

Example 28 is repeated, except the ground is quite dry and the plantsare generating seven and one-half atmospheres of pressure to draw waterfrom the ground. The results are similar except that the 240 acressprayed with the starch granule—surfactant aqueous mixture produces only936 pounds of oil per acre of sunflower plants.

EXAMPLE 31

Example 28 is repeated, except the ground is drier and the plants aregenerating four to five atmospheres of pressure to draw water from theground. The results are similar.

EXAMPLE 32

Example 28 is repeated, except the ambient temperature is 96 degrees F.instead of 73 degrees. The results are similar.

EXAMPLE 33

Example 28 is repeated, except the ambient temperature is 45 degrees F.instead of 73 degrees F. The results are similar except that the fortyacres sprayed with the starch granule—surfactant aqueous mixture onlyproduces 938 pounds of sunflower oil per acre of sunflower plants.

EXAMPLE 34

Example 28 is repeated, except that the starch granule—surfactantaqueous mixture is applied about two days before row closure instead ofthree weeks before row closure. Similar results are obtained.

EXAMPLE 35

Example 28 is repeated, except that the starch granule—surfactantaqueous mixture is applied about three days after row closure instead ofthree weeks before row closure. The forty acres sprayed with the starchgranule—surfactant aqueous mixture produce a yield of 939 pounds ofsunflower oil per acre of sunflower plants.

EXAMPLE 36

Examples 1 to 35 are repeated except that raw crystalline birefringentrice starch granules are utilized in place of the potato starchgranules. Similar results are obtained in each of Examples 1 to 35.

EXAMPLE 37

Examples 1 to 35 are repeated except that raw crystalline birefringentsorghum starch granules are utilized in place of the potato starchgranules. Similar results are obtained in each of Examples 1 to 35.

EXAMPLE 38

Examples 1 to 35 are repeated except that raw crystalline birefringentcorn starch granules are utilized in place of the potato starchgranules. Similar results are obtained in each of Examples 1 to 35.

EXAMPLE 39

Examples 1 to 35 are repeated except that raw crystalline birefringentwaxy maize starch granules are utilized in place of the potato starchgranules. Similar results are obtained in each of Example 1 to 35.

EXAMPLE 40

Examples 1 to 35 are repeated except that only one-half pound of rawcrystalline birefringent potato starch granules is applied per acreinstead of one and one-half pounds per acre. Similar results areobtained in each of Examples 1 to 35. However, in Examples 1,2, 4, 6, 7,10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34 the yieldsfrom plants foliarly sprayed with the starch granule—surfactant aqueousmixture, while still greater than the yields achieved on plants on whichthe starch granule—surfactant aqueous mixture is not applied, aresomewhat less.

EXAMPLE 41

Examples 1 to 35 are repeated except that four pounds of raw crystallinebirefringent potato starch granules is applied per acre instead of oneand one-half pounds per acre. Similar results are obtained in each ofExamples 1 to 35. However, in Examples 1,2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16,19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34 the yields from plants foliarlysprayed with the starch granule—surfactant aqueous mixture are somewhatgreater.

EXAMPLE 42

Examples 1 to 35 are repeated except that six pounds of raw crystallinebirefringent potato starch granules is applied per acre instead of oneand one-half pounds per acre. Similar results are obtained in each ofExamples 1 to 35. However, in Examples 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 15,16, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34 the yields from plantsfoliarly sprayed with the starch granule—surfactant aqueous mixture aresomewhat greater.

EXAMPLE 43

Examples 1 to 35 are repeated except that partially gelatinized potatostarch granules are utilized in place of the raw potato starch granules.Similar results are obtained. The partially gelatinized potato starchgranules comprise raw potato starch granules which have been partiallyhydrated and have therefore swelled from their original size. However,the partially gelatinized potato starch granules are still crystallineand exhibit birefringence. As used herein, crystalline starch granulesare starch granules which are partially crystalline and partiallyamorphous. Raw starch granules include both crystalline and amorphousphases. For example, raw corn starch granules are each about 40%crystalline as determined by X-ray diffraction. Raw waxy maize starchgranules are each about 40% crystalline, raw rice starch granules areeach about 38% crystalline, raw tapioca starch granules are each about38% crystalline, raw sorghum starch granules are each about 37%crystalline, raw potato starch granules are each about 28% crystalline,and raw high-amylose corn starch particles are each about 22%crystalline. The crystalline regions in granular starches impart waterinsolubility in cold water. The partial crystallinities in granularstarches is due to branch points, chain folding, and places in thestarch granules where the molecules are simply in disarray.

As used herein, raw starch granules are starch granules which have beenseparated from the plant in which they were produced. Raw starchgranules are crystalline, are water-insoluble, are dense, are hydratedto a small degree, are birefringent, are (in ordinary light) clear ortranslucent, are colorless, and have a mean refractive index of about1.5. Raw starch granules are nature's almost universal form forpackaging and storing carbohydrate in green plants.

EXAMPLE 44

Example 1 to 35 are repeated except that the surfactant is not utilized.Similar results are obtained in each of Examples 1 to 35. However, inExamples 1,2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 28, 29,31, 32, 34 the yields from plants foliarly sprayed with the starchgranule—surfactant aqueous mixture is significantly less, though stillgreater than the yields from plants not foliarly sprayed with the starchgranule aqueous mixture.

Raw crystalline birefringent starch granules typically cost about$800.00 per 2000 pounds.

The leaves of a plant typically include a plurality of epidermal cells,a plurality of stomata for allowing carbon dioxide to enter the leaf, aplurality of food-making cells, each food-making cell including aplurality of chloroplasts, a plurality of air spaces each adjacent atleast one of the food-making cells, carbon dioxide in each of the airspaces, water vapor in each of the air spaces, xylem for carrying water,and phloem for carrying food produced by the leaf. The food making cellsinclude palisade cells and spongy cells. The leaf also includes veinsand supporting fibers. The epidermal cells are found in the upperepidermis and the lower epidermis of a leaf. The epidermis is covered bya waxy coating call the cuticle. Each stomata is surrounded by a pair ofcurved, bean-shaped guard cells. The guard cells can swell and relax. Astomata or pore closes when its guard cells relax. The stomata openswhen the guard cells swell. When the stomata opens, carbon dioxideenters the leaf.

It is possible that forms of starch other than crystalline birefringentstarch granules will work in the practice of the invention. For example,various forms of modified starch may also produce significant increasesin the yields associated with a plant. However, to date, onlycrystalline birefringent starch granules have been tested and shown toproduce surprising and unexpected increases in the yield of plants.

Having described my invention in such terms as to enable those skilledin the art to understand and practice it, and having identified thepresently preferred embodiments thereof,

I claim:
 1. A method for treating a stand of plants growing by naturalprocesses and exposed to direct sunlight and an atmosphere of air toimprove the yield of said plants, each of said plants including at leastone leaf including a plurality of epidermal cells, a plurality ofstomata for allowing carbon dioxide to enter the leaf, a plurality offood-making cells, each food-making cell including a plurality ofchloroplasts, a plurality of air spaces each adjacent at least one ofthe food-making cells, carbon dioxide in each of the air spaces, watervapor in each of the air spaces, xylem for carrying water, and phloemfor carrying food produced by the leaf; said method comprising the stepof applying foliarly to contact at least some of said epidermal cells aplurality of crystalline optically birefringent starch granules to saidplants naturally growing in said stand exposed to said sunlight and saidatmosphere, each of said granules (a) including a crystalline phase andan amorphous phase; and (b) being one of a pair including (i) clear, and(ii) translucent.
 2. A method for treating a stand of plants growing bynatural processes to improve the yield of said plants, each of saidplants including at least one leaf including a plurality of epidermalcells, a plurality of stomata for allowing carbon dioxide to enter theleaf, a plurality of food-making cells, each food-making cell includinga plurality of chloroplasts, a plurality of air spaces each adjacent atleast one of the food-making cells, carbon dioxide in each of the airspaces, water vapor in each of the air spaces, xylem for carrying water,and phloem for carrying food produced by the leaf; said methodcomprising the step of, when the stand of plants exerts less than sixatmospheres of pressure to draw water from the ground and is exposed todirect sunlight and an atmosphere of air having an ambient temperaturein the range of 65 degrees F. to 105 degrees F., applying foliarly tocontact at least some of said epidermal cells a plurality of solidcrystalline optically birefringent starch granules to said plants, eachof said granules (a) including a crystalline phase and an amorphousphase; and (b) being one of a pair including (i) clear, and (ii)translucent.
 3. A method for treating a stand of potato plants growingby natural processes and exposed to direct sunlight and an atmosphere ofair to improve the yield of said plants, each of said plants includingat least one leaf including a plurality of epidermal cells, a pluralityof stomata for allowing carbon dioxide to enter the leaf, a plurality offood-making cells, each food-making cell including a plurality ofchloroplasts, a plurality of air spaces each adjacent at least one ofthe food-making cells, carbon dioxide in each of the air spaces, watervapor in each of the air spaces, xylem for carrying water, and phloemfor carrying food produced by the leaf; said method comprising the stepof, less than five weeks before row closure, applying foliarly tocontact said epidermal cells of said potato plants a plurality of solidcrystalline optically birefringent starch granules to said plantsnaturally growing in said stand exposed to said sunlight and saidatmosphere, each of said granules (a) including a crystalline phase andan amorphous phase; (b) being one of a pair including (i) clear, and(ii) translucent; and, (c) having a mean refractive index of about 1.5.